They can make or break your user experience, especially if they’re poorly designed. There is a lot that goes into great UX design, and micro interactions are one of the most important factors.
Micro interactions make your user experience more memorable, polished, and enjoyable. The word “micro” suggests that these interactions are small—but their impact is anything but insignificant! Read on to learn why micro interactions matter, how they work, and when to use them for maximum effectiveness.
What is a Micro Interaction?
A micro interaction is a tiny, almost imperceptible interaction within a digital experience. They’re so small that you might not even notice them, but they pack a major punch. Micro interactions are often used within apps and websites to create memorable, engaging experiences that go above and beyond what’s expected. They enhance the user’s experience in small but significant ways: Quickly updating a user’s progress through a sign-up process, adding visual flair to a menu, or playing a subtle sound effect when a button is clicked are just a few examples. A micro interaction can be as simple as a button that makes a sound when pressed, an image that slides when hovered over, or a menu that appears when a device’s camera is accessed. Micro interactions can also be more complex, like a loading screen that informs the user of the progress being made or a pop-up that prompts the user to take a certain action.
Why Micro Interactions Matter
Micro interactions are tiny but mighty. They’re so subtle that you might not even notice them, but their impact is huge. They can make or break your user experience, especially if they’re poorly designed. Well-designed micro interactions are memorable and create a polished, enjoyable experience. Poorly designed micro interactions turn an otherwise great user experience into a forgettable one. The reason micro interactions matter so much is because they’re essentially the glue that holds your entire app together. Their impact on the user experience is exponential because they’re present throughout the entire app. For example, if you want to create an app that helps people plan their travel itineraries, you might include a micro interaction within your sign-up process. This micro interaction can prompt users to enter travel dates, so they can start to plan a custom itinerary for their upcoming travel adventures. This one simple micro interaction has the potential to make users’ lives so much easier. It can save them time and help them to more quickly and efficiently plan their travels. It can also make your app memorable, because it’s such a unique, helpful feature that many other travel apps likely don’t have.
How to Design Great Micro Interactions
To design great micro interactions, you must first understand the different types of micro interactions. There are many types of interactions, but the three most widely used are: Once you understand the different types of micro interactions, it’s time to put your creativity to use. Start brainstorming and ideating ways in which you can use these interactions to enhance your app’s user experience. The more ideas you generate, the better. If you don’t come up with many micro interaction ideas, you’ll need to start from scratch. No matter how many ideas you come up with, remember that you’re designing for people, not for yourself.
When to Use Micro-Interactions
Micro interactions are used in a variety of different situations. They’re used at the beginning and end of a user journey, during onboarding, and to enhance the user’s experience while they’re within your app. No matter how you choose to use them, micro interactions are a powerful tool that should be included in your design toolbox. They’re appropriate for all types of apps, including productivity, creativity, and design apps. If you’re unsure when to use micro interactions, follow these general guidelines: If you’re designing new functionality, use micro interactions. If you’re correcting an existing bug, use a micro interaction. If you’re designing a feature that serves as a core function of the app, use a micro interaction. If you’re designing a feature that doesn’t serve as a core function of the app, but is still useful, use a micro interaction. If you’re designing a feature that doesn’t add any value to the app and doesn’t serve a function, don’t use a micro interaction.
Wrap Up
Micro interactions are tiny but mighty. They’re so subtle that you might not even notice them, but their impact is huge. They can make or break your user experience, especially if they’re poorly designed. Well-designed micro interactions are memorable and create a polished, enjoyable experience. Poorly designed micro interactions turn an otherwise great user experience into a forgettable one. The next time you’re designing a new feature or app, remember to consider including micro interactions. They’re so subtle that you might not even notice them, but their impact is significant. Micro interactions are a powerful tool that should be included in your design toolbox.
